Days after Hong Kong and Singapore banned the sale of the two popular Indian spice brands in the country – MDH and Everest – over their quality concerns, the Centre has sought details from their food safety regulators. MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder and Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder are banned in Hong Kong now. So is Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.
The decision came after authorities of the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region reportedly found the presence of the cancer-causing pesticide ethylene oxide in the spice mixes.
The CFS had collected food samples from three stores in Tsim Sha Tsui for regular testing and found ethylene oxide in the samples. The CFS had told the stores about the issue and asked them to stop selling and remove these products from their shelves.
The distributors and importers had started recalling these products. A CFS spokesperson said in a release on April 5 that people could call the hotlines provided during office hours for more information about the recalls.
The Union Commerce Ministry has reportedly directed the Indian embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong to send the technical details, analytical reports and the details of the exporters whose consignments have been rejected. According to the officials, the root cause of the ban and corrective actions will be determined along with the concerned exporters.
On Monday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had ordered quality checks on products of MDH and Everest Group following allegations of them containing a cancer-causing pesticide. According to a report, the inspections are testing for the presence of ethyleneoxide – a harmful pesticide unfit for human consumption and whose long-term exposure can cause cancer.
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